Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: What a Unique Breed!

Cavalier King Charles
Spaniels: What a Unique
Breed!
Your dog is special! She’s your best friend and
companion and a source of unconditional love.
Chances are that you chose her because you like
Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and you expected her
to have certain traits that would fit your lifestyle:
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A snuggly lap dog and true companion
Willing to please and responsive to positive
reinforcement
Affectionate, easygoing, and sweet
Good with children and other pets
Agile and athletic—readily participates in outdoor
activities
No dog is perfect, though, and you may have noticed
these characteristics, too:
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Prone to separation anxiety and associated
barking and chewing behaviors
Long coat sheds quite a bit and needs to be
brushed regularly
Has a tendency toward shyness and fear-based
aggression if not socialized properly
Strong prey drive—will chase and grab small
things that run
Prone to several health problems, including early
heart disease
Is it all worth it? Of course! She’s got her own
personality, and you love her for it.
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Cavaliers. We’ll watch for the lenses of his eyes to become
more opaque—meaning they look cloudy instead of
clear—when we examine him. Many dogs adjust well to
losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to
remove cataracts and restore sight is an option.
Dental Disease
Dental disease is the most common chronic problem in
pets, affecting 80% of all dogs by age two. It starts with
tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of
the gums and roots of the teeth. If we don’t prevent or treat
dental disease, your buddy will lose her teeth and be in
danger of damaging her kidneys, liver, heart, and joints. In
fact, the disease could shorten your pet’s life by one to
three years! We’ll clean your dog’s teeth regularly and let
you know what you can do at home to keep those pearly
whites clean.
Dry Eye
Your Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel’s Health
We know that because you care so much about your dog,
you want to take good care of him. That’s why we’ll tell
you about the health concerns we’ll be discussing with you
over the life of your Cavie.
Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, meaning
they’re related to your pet’s breed. That doesn’t mean your
dog will have these problems; it just means that he’s more
at risk than other dogs. We’ll describe the most common
issues for Cavalier King Charles spaniels to give you an
idea of what may come up. Of course we can’t cover every
possibility here, so always check with us if you notice any
unusual signs or symptoms.
This guide, and the health evaluation schedule it contains,
helps us and you plan for your pet’s health-care needs. At
the end of the booklet, we’ve included a description of
what you can do at home to keep your Cavalier looking
and feeling his best. You’ll know what to watch for, and
we’ll all feel better knowing that we’re taking the best
possible care of your pal.
Cancer
Cancer is the most common cause of death of dogs in their
golden years, including your pal. Half of all cancers are
cured by surgically removing them, and some types are
treatable with chemotherapy. Early detection is critical!
We’ll do periodic blood tests and look for lumps and
bumps when we examine your pet. If she is overweight,
we’ll discuss exercise and diet because obesity is a risk
factor for some types of cancer.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older
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Dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS,
is a disease common in Cavalier King Charles spaniels.
The tear glands no longer produce enough tears to keep the
eye moist, which results in eye sores and infections. Ouch!
Symptoms include a thick discharge, squinting, pawing at
the eye, or a dull, dry look instead of a glistening, shiny
eye. This is a painful condition; please call us immediately
if you notice any of these signs. We’ll conduct a tear test
when we examine her and, if she has this disease, we’ll
prescribe ointment that you’ll need to apply for the rest of
your dog’s life.
Eye Injuries
Because your Cavie has eyeballs that bulge, he is
particularly susceptible to having his eye pop out of the
socket (called proptosis). It’s a truly horrifying sight! It
happens when there is too much pressure or squeezing on
the neck, such as from a choke chain. If surgery is
completed within a few hours and the eye doesn’t get
injured while it’s exposed, the eyeball can usually be
replaced with no loss of vision. You must use a harness
and not a neck collar when walking your pet, and never
use a choke chain. Straining against a leash can raise the
pressure on the eye, making it more likely that this will
happen to your friend.
Heart Disease
Cavaliers are prone to two genetically linked types of heart
failure: mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy
(DCM). DCM is a condition where the heart becomes so
large, thin, and weak that it can no longer effectively pump
blood to the body. Watch for your friend acting weak or
tired, fainting or collapsing, breathing in a labored way, or
coughing. Mitral valve disease is a leading cause of death
of Cavies, and in fact half of them will develop the disease
by age five. It is caused by deterioration of a valve in the
heart. We’ll perform diagnostic tests to check for heart
disease starting when your dog is a young adult. If heart
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nose and throat as other dogs, but there’s no place for it to
go. As a consequence, the soft palate, the soft part of the
back of the roof of the mouth, can be too long and may
hang down into the airway. Cavalier King Charles
spaniels’ nostrils are often too small, and sometimes the
trachea, or windpipe, is narrow and undersized. All these
things lead to a narrow and obstructed airway. Some of
these dogs can barely breathe! Watch for exercise
intolerance, loud breathing, coughing, bluish gums, and
fainting. Ideally, we’ll correct the problem surgically early
on when we spay or neuter your dog, but we can also
complete the surgery later in life if necessary.
disease is diagnosed early, we may be able to prescribe
medications that could prolong her life for many years.
Remember that proper dental care and weight control go a
long way in preventing heart disease.
With her short nose, she is also more likely to develop
other problems, such as flatulence from excessive air
intake, pneumonia from aspirating food, and heat stroke.
Being overweight also increases the likelihood of
breathing problems, so be sure to keep her on the trim side.
Skin Infections
Cavalier King Charles spaniels are susceptible to bacterial
and viral infections—the same ones that all dogs can get—
such as parvovirus, rabies, and distemper. Many of these
infections are preventable through vaccination, which
we’ll administer to your dog based on the diseases we see
in our area, his age, and other factors.
Your Cavie is prone to a form of skin infection called lipfold pyoderma, which occurs because the folds of skin
along the lower jaw are usually moist. Bacteria can readily
gain a foothold and cause a reddened, smelly area that is
uncomfortable for your dog. We will check for this
condition upon examination, but let us know if you see
signs. We’ll recommend treatment with ointments and
antibiotics as necessary. When symptoms are severe, the
excess skin folds can be surgically removed.
Obesity
Spaying or Neutering
Obesity is a significant health problem in dogs and a
serious disease that may cause arthritis, some types of
cancer, back pain, and heart disease. Though it’s tempting
to give your pal food when she looks at you with those
soulful eyes, you can love her to death with human food
and treats.
One of the best things you can do for your Cavalier King
Charles spaniel is to have him neutered (called spaying in
females). In males, this means we surgically remove the
testicles, and in females, it means we surgically remove the
uterus and ovaries. Spaying or neutering decreases the
likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the
possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering
unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a
chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to evaluate and
possibly address some of the diseases your Cavie is likely
to develop. This is convenient for you and easy for your
friend. Don’t worry; we’ll let you know what specific
problems we’ll look for when the time arrives.
Infections
Parasites
All kinds of worms and bugs can invade your dog’s body,
inside and out. Everything from fleas to ticks to ear mites
can infest his skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms,
heartworms, and whipworms can get into his system in any
number of ways: drinking unclean water, eating or
stepping on feces, or being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a
family member and are a serious concern for everyone. For
your friend, these parasites can cause pain, discomfort, and
even death, so it’s important that we test for them on a
regular basis. We’ll also recommend preventative
medication as necessary to keep him healthy.
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
This disease, also known as brachycephalic syndrome,
affects dogs with a short nose, like your Cavalier King
Charles spaniel. She has the same amount of tissue in her
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Taking Care of Your Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel at Home
Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and
healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch
his diet, make sure he gets plenty of exercise, regularly
brush his teeth and coat, and call us or a pet emergency
hospital when something seems unusual (see “What to
Watch For” below). Be sure to adhere to the schedule of
examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for
him. This is when we’ll give him the necessary “checkups” and test for diseases and conditions that are common
in Cavies. Another very important step in caring for your
pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will
certainly be medical tests and procedures he will need
throughout his life, and pet health insurance will help you
cover those costs.
Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise
Build her routine care into your schedule to help your
Cavalier King Charles spaniel live longer, stay healthy,
and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot
overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and
exercise routine. Overweight Cavies are more prone to
cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and other problems.
ü Brush her coat at least weekly.
ü Brush her teeth at least three times a week.
ü Keep your dog’s diet consistent, and don’t give her
people food.
ü Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age.
ü Exercise your dog regularly, and don’t overdo
exercise.
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Change in appetite or water consumption
Scratching or shaking the head, or discharge in the ear
Redness or a foul odor about the lips
Gums that are not pink
Fainting or collapsing
Health Evaluation Schedule for
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Now that you’ve read about the health issues we’ll be
monitoring, we wanted to give you an at-a-glance
summary of what services we’ll provide to keep your
Cavie happy and healthy. It may seem like your pet is
prone to quite a few problems, but don’t worry; we’ll take
the lead in keeping her healthy for a lifetime. We’ll review
these health-care steps with you in more detail, but please
feel free to ask questions or voice concerns at any time.
Studies to determine the frequency of inheritance or
disease in this breed either have not been completed or are
inconclusive. There is a general consensus among canine
genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners that the
conditions we’ve described herein have a significant rate
of incidence and/or impact in this breed.
What to Watch For
Give us a call immediately if you notice any of these signs
in your Cavalier King Charles spaniel:
ü Vomiting or chronic diarrhea
ü Weight loss or weight gain
ü Lumps, bumps, and moles
ü Lethargy, mental dullness, or excessive sleeping
ü Fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes
ü Limping or lameness
ü Hair loss
ü Coughing or difficulty breathing
ü Episodes of weakness
ü Pot-belly appearance
ü Inability or straining to urinate
ü Cloudiness, redness, itching or any other abnormality
involving the eyes
ü Itchy skin (scratching or licking)
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(503) 227-6047
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Age
Services We’ll Provide
m
6–8
weeks
m
10–12
weeks
Head-to-tail physical examination
Internal parasite test and/or deworming
Vaccinations
Discuss socialization and at-home puppy care
Physical examination
Heartworm prevention
Vaccinations
Discuss caring for your dog’s teeth at home
Heart murmurs
Hernias
Proper dental alignment
Parasites
Proper growth rate
Behavioral problems
Parasites
m
14–16
weeks
Adult teeth coming in properly
Skin infections
Tonsillitis
Parasites
m
4–6
months
m
1 year
Adult: 18 to 39
in People Years
m
2 years
through
8 years
Physical examination
Internal parasite check
Vaccinations
Discuss obedience training, nail trimming,
and grooming
Schedule spay/neuter surgery
Head-to-tail physical examination
Presurgical diagnostics for spay or
neuter surgery
Soft palate surgery
Head-to-tail physical examination
Internal parasite check
Vaccinations
Discuss diet, weight, and exercise
Head-to-tail physical examination
Internal organ health evaluation
Tear test
Heart health check
Internal parasite check
Vaccinations
Senior: 40 to 59
in People Years
Puppy to Adolescent:
Infant to 17 in People Years
(√)
m
9 years
through
11 years
Head-to-tail physical examination
Senior internal organ health evaluation
Tear test
Heart health check
Internal parasite check
Vaccinations
Senior: 40 to 59
in People Years
How We’ll Keep Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Healthy
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel–Specific
Problems We’re Looking For
m
12 years
and older
Head-to-tail physical examination
Golden years internal organ health evaluation
Cancer screen
Tear test
Glaucoma screen
Heart health check
Internal parasite check
Vaccinations
Internal organ health prior to spay/neuter surgery
Respiratory distress syndrome
Skin infections
Excessive weight gain
Behavioral problems
Heartworms and other parasites
Skin infections
Dental disease
Healthy weight
Internal organ health and function
Dry eye
Heart disease
Heartworms and other parasites
Skin infections
Cataracts
Dental disease
Healthy weight
Arthritis
Internal organ health and function
Dry eye
Heart disease
Heartworms and other parasites
Skin infections
Cataracts
Dental disease
Healthy weight
Arthritis
Internal organ health and function
Signs of cancer
Dry eye
Glaucoma
Heart disease
Heartworms and other parasites
Note: We recommend twice-a-year examinations so that we may diagnose problems sooner.
This approach also gives you the budget-friendly option of spreading preventive testing over two visits rather than one.
Northwest Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital
(503) 227-6047
www.nwneighborhoodvet.com